A/N: It's been quite a while. I lost my mojo and had to play the part of single mom and then my lap top decided to go into early retirement which was when I figured out that my favorite brand of lap top (Sony Vaio) is no longer being made. Thank god for my husband (Who is deployed right now) got me an awesome anniversary present which benefits you the readers. Daddy got me a brand spanking new lap top which is so much better than a Vaio and according to him has a Terabyte of memory ( I have no fucking clue what this means but it flipped his geek switch) and I love it so the writing shall commence so here it is...Chapter 16 and dam was it a blast to write...I hope I still have a few of you out there. Please let me know what you think for better or for worse. Thank you guys for your unwavering support during all of my endeavors in fan fiction and I just want to tll all my readers right here right now. I will finish every single one of my stories. I have been writing quite a bit and there will be some things coming. I love you all!
See you all the bottom!
BPOV:
I could have just let everything that happened tonight go, that would have been the easy way out; but I think the thing Edward said he respected most about me was the fact that I have my own mind and I wouldn't just roll over. I'd done that for too long.
Edward had walked Emmett and Rosalie to the door while I washed the last of the dishes as my hands dipped into the scalding water I got a little more pissed off. How dare he treat me like that; I was so angry I couldn't even come up with an example of what exactly I meant by that.
I heard him walk into the kitchen and I didn't even turn around.
"Bella-I should-"
"Edward don't just don't okay; I can handle just about everything; but to be used like some common whore and be made an example of, I could have stayed in Arizona and got that shit. I didn't need the one person in my life who I trust with everything to do me even worse than those who you made an example of" I said slamming my hands on the edge of the sink.
"You think this is easy, this is all I fucking know, that is what I've been taught, I'm trying but I don't know any other way" he gritted out.
"How about maybe just freaking talking to me Edward, I'm not an idiot, I'm not some blind little dancing monkey that jumps to your commands. I'm learning as we go just like you are. We're in this together, this is new for both of us but we're never going to make it out if we don't help each other out" I turned around my voice getting louder with each word.
"I'm sorry Bella; you know I'd do anything I could for you. I love you more than I could ever tell you" he said leaning against the wall and pinching the bridge of his nose
"I don't need your words Edward I need your actions I need to know we're going to have each other's backs and not fold at the first sign of difference. I need to know I can trust you with not only my heart and soul but my body as well" I pleaded.
"Marry me Bella, I swear I will always protect you. I never meant to make you feel abused or used. I thought I needed to make a point, to teach you a lesson and I took it too far" he said getting down on his knee
"I forgive you and you don't need to marry me to prove how sorry you are but I will tell you this much. I won't give you a second chance, you ever do this to me again and I will leave and you will never see me again. I could care less about the material bullshit. I had nothing before you and I've come from less than nothing and that makes it easier for me to walk away with my self-respect and dignity intact. You will never treat me this way again and I will leave and if you think I'm too weak. Try me" I said throwing the dish towel and the counter and walking around him.
I didn't give him a chance to respond and I felt good about the fact that I've told him my thoughts and how I felt and I stood my ground, if he wanted me to love him he would never want me to fear him.
I went upstairs and got ready for bed and for a while I didn't think he would come upstairs but when I got out of the shower he was sitting on the side of the bed in cotton sleep pants and no shirt. He looked pensive
"Bella?" he asked his eyes sad
"Yeah?" I said running my fingers through my hair.
"I fucked up baby, please tell me you forgive me. I should have never treated you like that. It was-"
"Edward, we're going to leave it downstairs, just don't ever let it happen again, now unfortunately I have a lunch date with your mother to go dress shopping for some ball so I really need to get some sleep" I grumbled heading to the other side of the bed
"You need to stop acting like going shopping is punishment baby. I told you; I work like I do to give you everything you could ever want or need. Just do me a solid and enjoy it" he said pulling me into his chest.
"I'd much rather have you to enjoy it with" I said leaning up on my elbow and resting my chin on his chest.
"So you're telling me you would actually enjoy shopping if I went with you?" he asked cocking a brow at me.
"I would be spending time with you, so yes I'm sure I'd enjoy it. I mean I know we will never be a normal couple, but I just want to hang out with you sometime; like a date" I asked with a pouty smile.
He reached over his head and grabbed his phone. He pressed a few buttons and held the phone to his ear. I rested my head on his chest and listened to the steady thump of his heartbeat as he spoke to Emmett about him covering him tomorrow stating that he had a hot date. I started to laugh and he ticked my sides. I giggled and looked up at him and he winked at me. I mouthed I love him.
He puckered his lips at me and I leaned down and kissed him. He pointed to the movie shelf on the opposite side of the bedroom and jerked his chin. He spoke quietly with Emmett and I went and picked out a movie, Edward's favorite. Gone in sixty seconds.
I showed him the cover and his silently kissed the end of his fingers in agreement. I held up my finger and went back downstairs. I melted some of the cheese from dinner and grabbed some chips and made some popcorn. I grabbed a cherry coke for myself and a beer for Edward.
He smiled when I walked into the room.
"I called my mother, she's actually pretty excited that I'm taking you shopping. It actually means I'm going to this stupid thing this year" he said as he reached into his nightstand for the remote.
"Wait you don't do to these parties?" I asked.
"I don't bring pussy in front of my mother Bella, you're the first woman I ever been serious about, so no I don't go cause that would mean I have to bring someone. So this is gonna be a first for both of us. I think everyone is going to be shocked as hell" he said with a devious smile.
"God everyone is going to think I'm a bad influence on you" I said sitting the bowl of popcorn between us.
"I like the bad influences. I think they're sexy as fuck" he said grabbing a handful of popcorn.
The next morning I woke up to the bright florida sun streaming into the floor to ceiling windows of mine and Edward's bedroom I cringed as the sheet slipped down over my breast. I looked down and bit my lip as my cheeks heated up seeing the few bite marks. Edward and I had done some things last night that would have made Satan himself blush. I had all but begged Edward for every mark.
Well begged isn't quite the word it was more like goaded him. After we'd watched Gone in sixty seconds we'd watched the first two fast and furious movies and I'd made a comment on how hot I thought Paul Walker and Vin Diesel were and I would need to have both of them.
Edward said I didn't need two of them because one of him was more than I'd ever be able to handle. I scoffed at him.
That wasn't my best or brightest decision. He sat stock still and silent for a while, and I ignored him thinking he was avoiding the conversation, I never said Edward was bad in bed because I lost my breath and ability to form a complete thought every time we were together but he was so reverent and treated me like carefully spun china. I hated it. I wanted him to take what he wanted to make me give him what he needed to be selfish for once and only care about his needs and his desires. I know it was a complete contradiction to everything we had fought about the night before. I never said I made sense of what I demanded of his behavior and what I needed from him the bedroom were a complete mirror match. Sue me.
After a few minutes of him not moving and not speaking and to be honest I wasn't sure if he was breathing. I looked over at him and was a bit frightened. The intense green of his eyes were gone and replaced with black his tongue was running over his bottom lip and he was staring at me like I was something to eat.
"Bella you have no idea what you're asking of me. If you were smart you would know you're getting yourself into deep shit and you'd beg me for mercy right now" he said in a low and gravelly voice.
"Let's just say I'm not smart and I need you to teach me a lesson. I know what I want Edward. Be selfish for fucking once. God I mean you are so dirty in business be dirty right here in our bedroom with the woman you have no problems telling me you love me. Show me I'm yours. Mark me. Take what you want be-"
I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence. Before I could he had pulled me by my hair into his lap where I was straddling him. He ripped my tshirt off of me down the middle and I was there in his lap wearing only my panties.
"So my little girl wants to be marked huh. You want everyone to know you're mine huh. I think I can make that happen, but Bella you have to know that once I have my mark on you. I will never let you go. Do you know just how jealous I can be? What I do to those who I feel is a threat to me and what I consider to be mine?" he asked right before his teeth sank into my neck.
I screamed out and that scream became a moan and his tongue drug across the burning spot of his bite.
A sharp yank of my hair brought me back to the moment.
"Bella you're in trouble now. I know what I said before, but now this has a different meaning. You're with me forever. You understand?" he demanded.
I managed a small moan through my eyes that were struggling to focus.
"Answer me dammit. I asked you a question" he demanded as he bit down on my nipple.
A scream mixed with a moan and Edward's growl. I was in heaven and he pushed me face down on the bed. My legs were trembling. Clawing at the sheets. I was trapped. He hands were pinning mine down to the mattress and my legs were splayed open he was on his knees in between them. I felt the burn of my panties being ripped away.
"Remember this is what you wanted Bella, you wanted to be used by me. To be marked as mine; this is your last out. Tell me to stop, to be gentle to calm down"
I looked over my shoulder at home we locked eyed for a few seconds before I uttered those faithful words that sealed my doom.
"Don't ever stop" I begged there was a pleading tone to my voice and there was a small voice somewhere in the back of mind that screamed at me to abort mission. It was too late.
The pain was actually great; well I thought it was until I sat up to get out of bed. I had to bite down on my lip to avoide crying out and risk waking Edward. He hated to be woken up.
I slowly and carefully hobbled to the bathroom and turned on the tub. A nice quiet bath should soothe my poor battered and abused kitty; but to say I didn't enjoy every freaking moment of it would be a gigantic lie.
As I sat in the tub I thought about all the drama today would bring. While I'd been seen with every member of the family including my father in law, Edward and I usually hung out together at home. Not that he was ashamed of me. He just hated being in the spotlight and all the attention bothered him. It's his reason for being out all night to work and do his business and sleeping all day; but today was going to be different.
I was just standing up to rinse all the suds off of me when the bathroom door opened and there stood Edward, his eyes still laden with sleep his hair a mess.
"Hey beautiful, are you okay?" he asked with a smirk.
"Do you have any regrets?" I asked cocking my brow at him.
"Not a fucking one" he said going over to the toilet. I giggled and turned on the shower to rinse off.
"Leave that on I'm gonna take one. We should head out soon; I plan on spoiling you all day and getting you over this thing you got against shopping" he said as he flushed and walked over to the sink.
"Edward that's never going to happen. I hate shopping and you know you don't have to spend money on me. I love-"
"Stop, I have the money and I'm gonna spend it on my girl" he said kissing my shoulder as he walked by and into the shower.
I shook my head and mumbled about when in Rome and headed into the bedroom. I flipped on the tv to see the weather and just like typical Florida sunny and eighty degrees.
I smiled when I pulled out this blood red den and a black tshirt that read "roll tide" across the front in red and silver glitter. It was a low cut V that gave me awesome cleavage. I left my hair down and let it go into it's natural wave down my back.
"Hey Bella-Jesus fuck" I heard and turned around. I'd been bending over in the mirror putting on my make up.
"Edward what's wrong?" I asked quickly turning.
"Your ass, in that skirt, you sure you don't wanna stay home?" he smirked.
"If we don't get me a dress and get you measured for a tux for this ball today, your mother is gonna have you by the balls. So do you wanna do stay home or get this done and come home?" I asked.
He just rolled his eyes as he walked by. He had a towel wrapped around his waist as he walked to the closet. I thought how I hated to see him go but it wasn't bad watching him leave.
"Stop staring at my ass woman" he laughed as he stared at the racks of clothes in his closet.
Edward in anything is sexy; but you give him a pair of nice fitting jeans and a fitted t shirt and a backwards baseball cap. He is absolutely sinful.
"So you ready to truly go public with me?" he said we were heading down the stairs to head out for the day of shopping or day of hell if you asked me.
"I was ready the day you walked into the coffee shop" I said with a smile.
"So if that's the case then do me a solid?" he asked.
"You know I'd do anything for you" I said honestly.
"Marry me Bella, seriously not because I'm begging you for forgiveness, but because I've watched you with every single member of my family and you love them with the same fierceness that I do, and I swear I it hurts to imagine you not with me. I don't want nobody else loving me and I don't want anyone else loving you except me; so right here right now I'm asking you; marry me Bella" he said as he got down on one knee and opened a black box.
The ring was amazing sparkly and simple at the same time. It was classic beautiful and totally me. I loved it.
I stared between him and the ring and all I could do was nod yes. My heart was in my throat. I was so overwhelmed. I threw my arms around him and just kissed and squeezed him.
"I'm guessing that you mean yes right?" he asked smiling.
"Yes Edward a thousand million times yes. I love you. I mean I knew I loved you before I met you" I said quoting another one of our songs.
"I was praying that you and me would end up together" he said as his forehead rested against mine.
"Better than alright?" I whispered.
"Hold on and take breath; it'll be me and you every step" he said softly.
"You're gonna make me take it off today huh?" I asked quietly bringing us out of our bubble
"No, why the hell would I do that?" he asked.
"What if the press sees it, they will-" I started and he cut me off with a kiss.
"Bella, you're gonna be my wife-they can say what they want- you and I know the truth, we know what's real, so who cares?" he asked as he kissed both my hands.
"I love you, I love that you're able to talk to me and not shut off like you do around your father and grandfather"
"At work I have to be someone else, I gotta protect the throne you know so when I'm working chances are I'm someone you won't recognize; which is why I keep you shielded, why Emmett keeps Rosalie shielded; and Jasper for Alice. It's not something we'd ever want you girls exposed to" he said as he walked over to the large wall safe. He clicked a few buttons and it opened. I stood there chewing on the end of my thumb like I usually did when I was deep in thought. I just was amazed at how different my life was from a year ago. A year ago I was taking the throw away sandwiches from the coffee shop to make sure I had enough food to get through the week. Now if I looked like I wanted something it appeared. Edward spoiled me rotten and to be honest so did Carlisle. Edward said I was like the baby of the family. The little girl he never had but wanted. I didn't get what the difference was between me and the other girls but then it hit me: It was different because Edward was his son, his flesh and blood and with that came certain privileges for him and by default me. I didn't want to think of it, I didn't see Rose or Alice any different and to Edward Jas and Emmett were his brothers; but there was subtle difference in how Edward was regarded compared to the other boys, and if you weren't looking you would never notice it; but I did and I knew if Edward knew it would piss him off so I kept it to myself because everyone knew we had to keep Edward happy. A pissed off Edward was an Edward everyone wanted to avoid at all costs.
Edward refused to let me cook him breakfast because he said we were going to meet his parents for breakfast to tell them about the engagement.
We walked out the front door into the muggy florida heat and I waited while Edward locked up the house and led me to his Audi SUV.
Ever the gentleman he opened my door and helped me into the car. He came around just as I unlocked his door. He climbed in and looked over at me.
"My fiancé, you're gonna be my wife" he grinned.
"For better or for worse babe" I said smiling over at him.
Edward lput on his aviator lens gasses and opened the panoramic roof the backing the car out of the drivway slowing to the stop at the closed gates of the community opened and as usual there was a few photographers sitting outside the gates.
"Morning Edward" one them said.
"Sup man" Edward said not peeling off.
"What are you guys up to today?" he asked
"Breakfast with my parents, shopping, then cleaning the house, boring couple shit, nothing big or juicy for you guys today. You're gonna be bored" he said with a smirk.
"Edward; why do I feel like something big is gonna be coming from you today?" the photog asked
"I have no idea what you're talking about dude" Edward said toying with the guy.
"Bella, how are you? You look beautiful today" he said trying to soften me up.
"Thank you and I'm good and you?" I asked the epitome of polite.
"So do you know what your boyfriend is up to?"
"Did you ever thinks he gets so sick you guys prying into our life following our every move that for once he's just toying with you so his own sick amusement?" I responded with a cocked brow.
"I uhh-well-it's" the poor guy stuttered his response.
"Ey man seriously, you really wanna know what's up?" Edward asked giving me a subtle look to which I just shook my head and smiled from behind my hand knowing he was toying with this poor guy.
"Yeah, the exclusive will be awesome" he said motioning to his camera guy.
"Alright cool. So look man; I just wanna let everyone in America know that Bella and I-" He looks over at me and asks "Should I?"
I just cock my brow at him and shake my head knowing he would never.
"Yeah Edward I think America would love to know what you guys are up to" he said putting the microphone closer to Edward's face.
"I'll tell you what we're up too, I swear. I swear we're up to no good" Edward said his smirk turning slowly into a full blow shit eating grin as the photog realized what Edward had just done.
Edward winked and flipped them off as he screeched tires and burned rubber out of the gates and down the street.
"You're too much, you got his poor hopes up" I said smacking his thigh
"Ey dudes a clown he deserved it, always in my business" Edward said pressing the button and lowering the top.
By some twisted miracle the photographers made it to the restaurant before we did.
"How do they do that?" I asked
"I use to ask the same thing now I just gave up" Edward shrugged it off as he got out the car.
The cameras whirred and clicked as he helped me out of the car.
Esme and Carlisle had already been seated when we arrived. The photographers followed us right up to the front door until they were stopped by security.
It was good to see Esme and Carlisle even though it had only been day.
"Hey sweetie" Esme said warmly opening her arms for me.
I loved her hugs; this family and just being surrounded by them was just an evelope of mush and love.
"What did you guys do last night?" Esme asked as we sat down and the waitresses rushed over with menus and caraffes of juice filling mine and Edward's glasses.
"Nothing really just movies and relaxing. Rose and Emmett came over and gave Rosalie a cooking lesson.
Carlisle sputtered on his juice and looked up with wide worried eyes.
"Rosalie cooked?" he asked curiously.
"Oh gosh guys, I was with her the entire time and she was fine" I rolled my eyes.
"You've confirmed Emmett is still alive, that girl could kill with her cooking" he joked.
"HAHA very funny. I'm gonna tell her you said that" I raised my eyebrow and he winked and smirked at me and went back to the hushed conversation he was having with Edward.
"What are your plans for the day?" Esme asked swatting at Carlisle playfully.
"I think we're going to go shopping today for the my gown for the Governor's ball and I was actually wanting to go to Williams Sonoma cause I thought maybe I could host family dinner at Edward's on Sunday?" I asked looking at Esme carefully.
I would never want her to think that I was overstepping my boundaries, only that I would like to carry my weight.
She smiled at me with pride and softly touched my cheek. I swear he needs to put a ring on you so you don't get away" she said softly
"I already did, dam you're late to the party" Edward snickered.
Esme subtly grabbed my hand and stared at the large pear cut diamond and titanium engagement ring.
"Oh my god it's so beautiful. Has the press figured it out yet?" she asked immediately going into mother hen mode.
"He only asked me this morning, I don't think so. I figured we wouldn't make any big announcements yet. We're just going to go out today and see what happens?" I asked.
"I can do that for now but you guys need to call if you run into any problems?" she asked hugging me.
Carlisle had pulled Edward into a big bear hug and whispered something into his ear that made Edward smile from ear to ear.
"I'm proud of you kids. I'll start scouting out locations for an official engagement party. This is going to be amazing. You are completing the family Bella you are everything my baby wants and needs" Esme said softly dabbing at her eyes.
"Jesus mama no crying, This is a good thing" Edward said leaning over to hug his mom. I looked over and saw a woman with her cell phone out. She had been listening in on and filming our entire conversation not even trying to being subtle.
"Thanks for taking a special moment for our family and using it to make a buck. You're awesome" I smiled at her.
She at least had the decency to try to look sheepish and put her phone away. I turned to Esme and was about to apologize when she just pulled us both into a hug.
Carlisle met my eyes looked at the woman and then called the server over.
"Georgio get us a bottle of Crystal, we're celebrating my son is engaged" He bellowed out and then mouthed damage control to Esme who nodded
Everyone in the dinning room burst out in applause.
"So much for a quiet trip to the mall now" Edward chuckled in my ear as we stood next to his dad.
"Well we knew this was coming. Almost better to get it knocked out now. I just feel bad that Emmett and Rosalie will find out from from the gossip circuit than find out from us" I said sadly.
"They'll understand and after the governor's ball the six of us can go out of town to New York or something for a weekend to just hang out and catch up.
I tried to stop the eyeroll but it came before I could do anything.
"whats up with that?" Edward said resting his forehead against mine.
"Rose and Emmett even Jas are fine; but Alice-she gets on my last nerves. I can only deal with her in small doses the over active tasmanian devil meddling stuff gets old after a while you know?" I whispered in his ear.
"Tell her to stand the fuck down, you know in the food chain you are a lot higher than she is. She can't be bossing you around and I'll talk to Jasper-"
"No babe, I'm gonna have to learn how to navigate this shit by myself sooner or later. I can't keep hiding behind you and Esme. I'm gonna have to stand on my own two feet eventually. So I will talk to her" I said brushing my lips against his earlobe.
His grip around my weight tightened and we just stared at each other for a second.
"This is real right, I'm not gonna wake up am I?" he whispered in my ear as we were both handed a flute of champagne.
"Well if you wake up then it's a dream for both of us" I said as we both watched the entire dining room raise their glasses to us.
The rest of breakfast was spend with Esme telling me that I needed to relax and take care of myself and to not worry about making Edward gourmet meals every night that was what the staff was for and that we should be focused on giving her grandbabies.
She also said that I should start thinking about what kind of wedding I wanted.
"I'm sorry Bella but your wedding will turn into one of the social events of the season; I don't-"
"Momma Es, if it means at the end of it I get to go home with Edward. I could care less how we get there, we will give the people what they want-they will be sick of me by the time I say I do" I said with a wink.
"That's my girl" she said leaning over and kissing my cheek.
"How about the few things we got going on Edward?" Carlisle asked.
"I already delegated some shit to Emmett cause I knew I'd be spending time with my lady. I know we got that thing tomorrow so I have to get Jasper on some things today so I can call him from the car while we're on our way to the mall. Bella seems to think the cure for her aversion to me spoiling her is to make me go with her. She also seems to thing we gotta do something to our bed cause the sheets and blankets are for boys only so she wants to add some feminine touches to the townhouse whatever the fuck that means" Edward said mock annoyance.
"This is what your life is going to be as a married man, get ready. So I'm gonna stop by the house tonight got something I need to talk to you and Emmett about. So let me know when you get home" he said.
"Yeah, I'll be in touch. Hey you might wanna get at Gino about that other shit and we need to address his behavior with Mike the other night is completely out of fucking pocket. Mike Newton is a good friend of the family and his connections have made us a lot of money. He should get the tribute he's owed. His docks his rules" Edward said and I tuned out cause at this point I knew it was business and I honestly didn't wanna know. My attention instead went to the amazing artwork that adorned the walls of the dinning room. I looked around noticed just some of the simple elegance of the room and thought this might be a good place for the reception. I was getting married and had a wedding to plan. I couldn't wait to get going and have Esme and and Rose help me.
I was starting to feel bad for my utter dislike of Alice; but I was just kind of quiet and calm and she was just too much.
"What are you thinking about beautiful?" I heard Edward's silky voice in my ear.
"Just some minor wedding stuff. I was just giving you room to talk to your dad" I said.
"No need but I appreciate it; you ready to go?" he asked
"Yeah, we kind of have a lot to do and only a matter of time before it's impossible for us to have a moments peace" I said.
Upon leaving the restaurant we both had to chuckle because we knew the cat was out of the bag. The number of photographers had about doubled and the second Carlisle and Esme's driver pulled their blacked out Escalade around the screaming started and the random questions were fired from every direction.
When Edward's Q7 was brought around it only got louder.
"Edward did you really propose?"
"Bella did you say yes?"
"Bella are you pregnant?"
"Bella is it true your father is New York Mob boss Charlie Swan?"
"Bella is it true that your stepfather Phil Dwyer was found dead in a Chicago crack den?"
"Bella are you marrying Edward for his money?"
but after hearing the question about who my father was I completely shut down. I felt someone arms around me but everything was going black.
"Edward follow us!" I heard Carlisle command. I flt like I was being lifted into a car and I heard tired squealing and could still hear the cameras clicking.
What a day this was turning out to be.